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First-Time Freshmen, Total Enrollment, and Graduate Students All Reach Record Highs

by
Mark Apple | Aug 21, 2013

This week, Marian University welcomed more students than ever before. Enrollment for the fall semester has reached a record high. This achievement comes in the midst of reports of declining enrollment at institutions of higher education across the nation.

Total enrollment is expected to exceed 2,600 students by the September 15 census date, when official enrollment numbers are reported. That will top the previous record of 2,582 students, recorded in fall 2012. This year’s enrollment is bolstered by Marian University’s College of Osteopathic Medicine, which contributes 162 first-year medical students to the total enrollment number.

Perhaps most impressive is the record number of first-time, full-time freshmen who will attend this semester. This week, 333 first-time, full-time freshmen started classes, an all-time record at the university and an 11 percent increase over last year.

"We see this remarkable enrollment growth as further evidence that our students, their parents, and the many donors that are investing in Marian University see value in the quality academic programs and supportive environment we provide,” Marian University President Daniel J. Elsener said. “Marian University is building a great Catholic university in a great American city for service to this state and beyond, and a lot of people want to be a part of that mission.”

Marian University is also expecting record enrollment for its graduate programs. That number should exceed 300, not including the students in the College of Osteopathic Medicine. Marian University post baccalaureate programs are offered through the university’s Academy for Teaching and Learning Leadership.

“We’re obviously excited about our record enrollment, but we’re equally proud of the quality of student that will be attending Marian University this fall,” President Elsener said. “We are truly educating future leaders for health care, business, education, and the Church.”

This year’s freshman class comprises students from 17 states. Not surprisingly, Indiana leads that list, followed by Illinois and Ohio. Students from as far away as Texas and Washington will also be attending Marian University this fall.

The highly regarded Alan and Sue Leighton School of Nursing continues to have the largest enrollment at the university, with 75 freshmen currently enrolled in the program. The School of Mathematics and Sciences’ biology program, the Byrum School of Business’ marketing and management programs, and the School of Education and Exercise Science’s elementary education program round out the top five most popular majors with this year’s freshman class.